Patriotism, red hot, is compatible with the existence of a
neglect of national interests, a dishonesty, a cold indifference to
the suffering of millions. Patriotism is largely pride, and very
largely combativeness. Patriotism generally has a chip on its shoulder.
This country had no other country to measure itself by--save
the few poor savages far below, with whom they had no contact.
They loved their country because it was their nursery,
playground, and workshop--theirs and their children's. They were
proud of it as a workshop, proud of their record of ever-increasing
efficiency; they had made a pleasant garden of it, a very practical
little heaven; but most of all they valued it--and here it is hard
for us to understand them--as a cultural environment for their children.
That, of course, is the keynote of the whole distinction--
their children.
From those first breathlessly guarded, half-adored race mothers,
all up the ascending line, they had this dominant thought of building
up a great race through the children.
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